7 tips for choosing sustainable travel destinations

Sunday, 29 June 2025 09:12

Travelling today is no longer just about collecting experiences – it's also about taking responsibility. Tourism has a significant impact on the environment, local communities, and cultural heritage. But why should you choose sustainable destinations? Here are 7 compelling reasons that benefit not only the Earth but also the traveller.

1. Genuine experiences with locals

Sustainable destinations don’t offer the clichés of mass tourism but provide a glimpse into the real lives of local communities. Local producers, artisans, and storytellers – these are the people who bring your journey to life.

TIP: The I-DEST system also prioritises community-level sustainability, building on the knowledge and resources of locals.

2. Environmentally friendly

The goal of sustainable destinations isn’t just to minimise harm – it’s also to improve the state of ecosystems. By choosing such a place, you support nature’s regeneration.

TIP: On the I-DEST platform, for instance, energy and water usage, waste management, and the protection of natural areas are measured and improved using real data.

3. Higher quality services

Sustainability doesn’t mean compromise. In many cases, these destinations offer higher quality, authentic, and personalised services.

TIP: Service providers participating in the I-DEST system monitor their own progress, ensuring continuous improvement and guest satisfaction.

4. Travel aligned with your values

What does sustainability mean to you? Climate protection? Social equality? Food security? Sustainable destinations allow you to plan your trip in line with the UN’s Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs).

TIP: Travel according to your values – and find places that share your way of thinking.

5. Supporting the local economy

By choosing a sustainable destination, you support providers who use local materials, employ local workers, and ensure that most of their revenue stays within the community. This creates a real economic multiplier effect – the profit doesn’t leak away but helps build the future of rural areas.

6. Transparent and credible information

Sustainable destinations don’t just claim to be green – they prove it. Genuine systems like I-DEST operate with traceable indicators, audited certifications, maps, and visitor feedback.

TIP: Choose internationally recognised sustainable destinations based on GSTC standards! As a conscious traveller, you can know exactly what you’re supporting by checking if a destination has a sustainability certification on its website.

7. Shaping the future

Where we travel, the accommodations we choose, and the activities we engage in – all represent a vote for the future of tourism. By opting for sustainable destinations, you support a world where tourism builds rather than destroys.